Specialized Training

IDOT provides specialized trainings to help optimize workforce self-development through apprenticeship programs and partnerships on industry trade and life skills to develop a diverse workforce. Through these professional trainings and partnerships, IDOT seeks to deliver quality, skilled professionals at all levels to enhance transportation workforce growth and balance, and to help transition individuals into the workplace by making them “career ready.”

Construction

TCART is a collaborative effort among Chicago-area community based organizations, the Apprenticeship Skill and Improvement Program Local 150, and the Chicagoland Laborers District Council Trainers and Apprenticeship Fund to assure the increased participation of minority groups, disadvantaged persons, and females in all phases of the highway construction industry. As we strive to transform this program offers talented individuals an opportunity to be trained on emerging trends in transportation. The program also encompasses IDOT’s human capital vision for a multi-modal transportation program to fully incorporate human capital factors that support IDOT's project goals, all while empowering individuals to realize their own potential in union-based training settings. Through this program, IDOT hopes to provide knowledge and hands-on training in transportation and highway construction trades. The program also offers job referral and intermodal placement assistance services to successful graduates in the highway construction trades, and labor apprenticeship programs, or in highway, railroad, transit, or airport construction.

Highway Construction Career Training Program (HCCTP)

IDOT has established the HCCTP to increase the total number and relative percentages of historically underutilized individuals working on IDOT highway construction projects. IDOT's college partnerships help provide highway construction industry trade and life skills training to minorities, women, and disadvantaged individuals. In addition, the program assists with the placement of trained graduates into Illinois highway construction trade unions, apprenticeship programs, or with IDOT construction contractors. Please visit the HCCTP webpage for more information on this program.

Technical

Business Development Program

IDOT is committed to providing support and development to DBEs in Illinois. The Foundation for Growth Business Development Program is a program designed to evaluate and provide a structured process for DBEs to receive firm-specific training and guidance to assist in their growth and competitiveness within the transportation industry. The program will provide each DBE firm with a full business analysis, tailored targeted training that may be eligible for reimbursement, and a host of other opportunities to increase the competiveness of the participants.

Firms who are interested in the Business Development Program must complete the Needs Assessment (required for all DBE firms seeking Supportive Service assistance) and check the box regarding interest in the BDP. To access the needs assessment click here.

Applications will be accepted for the FY 2015 Program until November 30, 2014. If you have any questions, please contact Dana Goodrum at (217) 524-7793.

You can also view the Foundation for Growth Business Development Program Flyer and Chart by clicking the links.

Flight Instruction

IDOT’s commitment to building a more diverse workforce is designed to bring additional innovative, high-performing, high-quality skills and reasoning to the transportation construction industry, and to help us all improve transportation throughout Illinois. To address the transportation challenges of today and emerging needs of tomorrow, IDOT must continue to invest wisely in its human capital strategies, and provide opportunities for all who can help us improve transportation as we move the multi-modal transportation vision forward for the state.

Youngsters from throughout Illinois dream of flying a commercial plane or perhaps becoming a recreational flier, and many adults among us still have an urge to learn to soar above the clouds. Illinois flight instruction facilities are equipped with modern technologies and are maintained under the highest aviation safety and educational standards to ensure safety and security, and a safe and effective training environment for prospective pilots of all ages.

We invite you to visit an Illinois flight instruction location for an introduction to flight and to learn more about flying. Together, we can fly high and fly safe.

Supportive Services Program

IDOT administers the federal Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Program and ensures that external Equal Employment Opportunity, training, and labor contract requirements are met. To strengthen these efforts, the IDOT Supportive Services Program provides assistance that fosters opportunities for DBE firms and other individuals who are interested in doing business in Illinois’ transportation industry. Management and technical supportive services are provided at no charge to IDOT’s DBE firms, firms seeking IDOT DBE program certification, IL UCP DBE certified firms who have an IDOT contract, and to prime contractors doing business with IDOT.

Supportive Services Program training opportunities are offered throughout the year and across the state. Trainings cover topics such as “how to do business with IDOT,” “estimating and bidding,” “prime/subcontractor networking,” “bonding/financing/credit restoration,” and more. Firms do not have to be DBE certified to attend these trainings.